Third
And
Fourth
Weeks
(Prayer
Units 23 --30)
Prayer
Unit 23
Theme: |
The suffering and death of Jesus begins with
the last supper and the agony in the garden. |
Grace: |
During these Gospel Contemplations
on the suffering and death of Jesus, I ask for sorrow with Jesus in sorrow,
tears and deep grief because of the great affliction Jesus endures for
me. |
Prayer
Texts:
Before using the following scripture texts, it is important to know the
grace that you are seeking -- to know the orientation and focus that Ignatius
instructs in notations [190]-[199].
In order to keep this focus, you can use the Exercises text for the first
two days or you could read carefully the text before you pray with scripture.
In either situation, note 1) Grace; 2) six points; 3) notation [199].
You also may desire to continue to use the Triple Colloquy.
a) Mt 26:17-30 |
The last supper -- the passover meal
and the giving of the eucharist. |
b) Jn 13:1-17 |
The washing of the disciples' feet. |
c) Mt 26:31-46 |
Jesus' anguish in the garden. |
d) Repetition |
|
e) Repetition |
|
f) Application of Senses |
|
How can we be
present to the sufferings of Jesus in our prayer? It may be compared to
the way we read a letter recounting the last moments of a loved one. It
may also be compared to the silence we maintain in the room of one who
is dying. We stay silent. The one who is about to die has secrets about
which we have no inkling. At the bedside of the dying, we cannot be present
or sustain a presence with a heart filled with self-concern.
-- adapted from "Direction
Of Conscience" by Jean Laplace
Additional Readings for reflection
outside prayer times:
Jn 12:23-33 |
The interior struggle of Jesus ...
unless a grain of wheat die ... now is my soul troubled. |
Lk 22:24-38 |
The competition among the disciples
for first place may have been one of Jesus' reasons for washing their feet. |
Jer 31:31-34 |
At the last supper, Jesus fulfils
this prophecy. |
Jn 15:12-27 |
Jesus gives the key commandment of
love and explains that true discipleship involves the experience of rejection
that he experienced. |
Ps 142 |
The prayer of one who is being stalked. |
Prayer
Unit 24
Theme: |
The suffering and death of Jesus continues
with his arrest and trials. |
Grace: |
To ask for what I desire -- sorrow
with Jesus in sorrow, tears, and deep grief because of the great affliction
that Jesus endures for me. |
Prayer
Texts:
a) Mt 26:47-56 |
The arrest of Jesus. |
b) Jn 18:12-27;
Mt 26:57-75 |
Jesus is brought before Annas and Caiaphas; night session of the Sanhedrin;
Jesus is mocked. |
c) Lk 22:66-71 |
Morning session of the Sanhedrin. |
d) Repetition |
|
e) Repetition |
|
f) Application of Senses |
|
1)
How do I perceive Jesus suffering in his members today?
2) How
am I called to have compassion in the concrete details of my life?
3) What
sorts of commitments to self, family, community, etc. are begging
for my response?
4) How
does my response involve the cross?
This is a time for deeper intimacy with Jesus. Remember, however, to include
in your Colloquies the practical implications of your decision-making and
life stances as practical expressions of this intimacy.
Additional Readings for reflection
outside prayer times:
Ps 35 |
Prayer of the virtuous person under
persecution ... now that I have fallen, they delight and crowd around me. |
Ps 55 |
Prayer in persecution ... if an enemy
were to have insulted me, I would put up with that ... but you a friend! |
Ps 57 |
Take pity on me, O God. I lie surrounded
by lions. |
Ps 69 |
Save me, O God. The waters are already
up to my neck. |
Ps 70 |
A cry of distress ... may those who
mock me be confused. |
Ps 143 |
My spirit fails me and my heart is
full of fear. |
Is 50:4-7 |
I did not cover my face from insults.
I know that I will not be ashamed. |
Prayer
Unit 25
Theme: |
The suffering and death of Jesus -- his last
hours. |
Grace: |
To ask for what I desire -- sorrow
with Jesus in sorrow, tears, and deep grief because of the great affliction
that Jesus endures for me. |
Prayer
Texts:
a) Lk 23:1-25;
Jn 18:28—19:16 |
Jesus' trial before Pilate and Herod. |
b) Lk 23:26-32 |
The way of the cross. |
c) Lk 23:33-49 |
The crucifixion. |
d) Repetition |
|
e) Repetition |
|
f) Application of Senses |
|
For a variety of circumstances, you
may need to adapt this Prayer Unit. If so, some of the following texts
could be used either in place of or in addition to the above Repetitions.
Before the b) text above:
Mt 27:26-31 Scourging
and crowning with thorns.
Jn 19:1-5
Pilate makes a spectacle of Jesus before the crowd and asks
them to gaze upon this man.
After the c) text above:
Lk 23:50-56 Taken down from
the cross, Jesus is laid in the arms of his
mother.
Additional Readings for reflection
outside prayer times:
Ps 22 |
My God, my God, why have you forsaken
me? |
Ps 31 |
Prayer in time of ordeal ... to everyone
of my oppressors, I am contemptible; to my friends, a thing of fear. |
Ps 38 |
Prayer in distress ... my limbs are
burnt with fever. |
Is 52:13—53:12 |
Fourth servant song ... the crowds
were appalled on seeing him, so disfigured did he look. |
Rom 5:6-11 |
While we were still helpless, Jesus
died for us. |
Phil 2:1-8 |
Though divine, he became one of us
and was obedient until he died. |
2Cor 4:7-18 |
We carry in our body, the death of
Jesus. |
--- Last words of Jesus ---
Mt 27:46; Lk 23:34, 43, 46;
Jn 19:26-28, 30
i thirst
i thirst for a drink
from
your tarnished cup
but
teach
me first
to sup life's
water,
soothe
some
tired, bleeding feet,
and bandage
broken, wounded
souls.
then ...
let me
stroke
the battered
cup,
draw
it
to my feeble
lips,
and taste
the liquid
of your Spirit.
-- Ruth McLean
Prayer
Unit 26
Theme: |
The paschal mystery. |
----- Holy Week Themes -----
Grace: |
To ask for what I desire -- sorrow with Jesus
in sorrow, tears, and deep grief because of the great affliction that Jesus
endures for me. |
Prayer
Texts:
a) For Holy Thursday |
pray the first half of the passion
of Jesus from Mk 14:12-72. |
b) For Good Friday |
pray the last half of the passion
of Jesus from Mk 15:1-47. |
c) For Holy Saturday |
pray with one of the gospel accounts
of the whole passion. |
|
During your prayer and from time to time throughout the day, you might
reflect upon the whole passion from Mary's point of view. Jesus has just
been buried on Friday, and on Saturday Mary remembers and recalls all the
events of the past few days. Spend your time today remembering with her.
Let the effect of Jesus' death permeate your whole being and the world
around you for the whole day. Additional Readings for reflection outside
prayer times from Mary's perspective: |
|
Ps 42; Lam 3:13-26; Lk 2:25-35;
Wis 4:7-14; Job 1:21; Is 42:1-9.
|
----- Easter Week Themes
-----
Theme: |
Jesus is risen. |
Grace: |
To ask for what I desire -- to
have a deep interior joy because Jesus is filled with glory and joy. |
Prayer
Texts:
d) For Easter Sunday |
make a Gospel Contemplation on how
Jesus, now Lord, appears to his mother, Mary. There is no scripture for
this. But as Ignatius suggests in notation [299], it is presumed. Before
you make this prayer exercise, make sure you read the focus given in notations
[218]-[225]. |
e) Repetition |
of Jesus' appearance to his mother. |
f) Repetition or
Jn 20:1-10 |
Peter and John find the empty tomb. |
Additional Readings for reflection
outside prayer times:
Lk 1:46-55; Eph 1:3-14; Ps 89;
Ps 116; Prov 8:22-36
Light ...
kicking stones
eating
dust
tearing vines
along the road
to find some answer.
thrust deep
in sand
lost
far in forest
bent low in
dream .....
and then that Light,
that glorious
light
breaks
through
again.
-- Ruth McLean
Prayer
Unit 27
Theme: |
Jesus in his risen life. |
Grace: |
To ask for what I desire -- a
deep interior joy because Jesus, now Lord, is filled with glory and joy. |
Prayer
Texts:
In all the Gospel Contemplations on
Jesus' risen life, keep the same focus as suggested in [218]-[225].
a) Mt 28:1-10 |
Jesus appears to the women at the
tomb. |
b) Jn 20:11-18 |
Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene. |
c) Lk 24:13-35 |
Jesus appears to the disciples on
the way to Emmaus. |
d) Repetition |
|
e) Repetition |
|
f) Application of Senses |
|
Additional Readings for reflection
outside prayer times:
Readings associated
|
with Jesus as consoler -- |
Mt 18:19-20 |
Where two or three meet in my name,
I am there. |
Lk 22:31-32 |
Peter, I have prayed for you ...
you must strengthen your companions. |
Jn 14:16-20,
25-31 |
I will not leave you orphans ...
the Holy Spirit will instruct you in everything. |
Jn 17 |
Jesus' prayer for us. |
Heb 4:14—5:10 |
Our high priest understands from
his own experience. |
2Cor 1:3-7 |
God comforts us in our sorrows so
that we too can comfort others. |
2Cor 12:7-10 |
Jesus' power makes up for our weakness. |
Readings associated
|
with the gentle delicacy of the
resurrection -- |
Song 2:8-17 |
My beloved is like a gazelle ...
peering through the lattice. |
Song 3:1-4 |
Have you seen the one whom my heart
loves? |
Is 54:4-10 |
For now, your Creator is your spouse. |
Ps 121 |
God is your guardian and shade. |
Jn 10:14-18 |
I am the good shepherd. |
Prayer
Unit 28
Theme: |
Jesus in his risen life. |
Grace: |
To ask for what I desire -- a
deep interior joy because Jesus, now Lord, is filled with glory and joy,
and a deeper appreciation of how Jesus is present to me in my daily living. |
Prayer
Texts:
a) Lk 24:36-45;
Jn 20:19-23 |
Notice how Jesus consoles the apostles and how he will remain with
them. |
b) Jn 20:24-29 |
Jesus appears to Thomas. |
c) Repetition |
|
d) Repetition |
or the Application of Senses. |
e) Contemplation
to Gain Love |
[230]-[237].
Before you do this contemplation, read the whole exercise of St. Ignatius.
Today do the first point [234]
with the preludes and pre-notes. |
f) Contemplation
to Gain Love |
Repetition of the first point and/or
second point [235]. |
Additional Readings for reflection
outside prayer times:
How is Jesus present in our daily living? First of all, Jesus gives us
a spirit of wisdom and enlightens our eyes to see the hope to which we
are called (Eph 1:15-23). He is present when two or three are gathered
in his name (Mt 18:19-20). Jesus strengthens us inwardly by the power of
his Spirit and does more in us than we can ask or imagine (Eph 3:14-21).
With his Abba and the Spirit, he makes his home with us (Jn 14:23) and
nourishes us as the vine nourishes the branches so that he helps us to
bear fruit more abundantly (Jn 15:1-17). Our response to this presence
is to live a life of faith (Lk 17:5-6) like our ancestors did (Heb 11)
and to live a life of good deeds which is characterized by the experience
of the beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12). Our daily living should manifest Jesus'
attitude towards others (Phil 2:1-11). Our activities are the sign of his
presence and love within us (Jas 2:14-26)
Prayer
Unit 29
Theme: |
Contemplation to Gain Love -- Jesus, the
risen Lord, is present in all things. |
Grace: |
To ask for what I desire -- a
deep-felt knowledge of the many blessings received that, filled with such
gratitude, I may be able to respond with total love and service. |
Prayer
Texts:
a) Contemplation
to Gain Love |
Repetition of the first [234]
or second point [235]. |
b) Contemplation
to Gain Love |
the third point [236]. |
c) Jn 21 |
Jesus appears to his disciples by
the Sea of Tiberias. Jesus serves, cooperates, consoles, calls and empowers. |
d) Repetition |
|
e) Contemplation
to Gain Love |
the fourth point [237]. |
f) Repetition |
or the Application of Senses. |
Additional Readings for reflection
outside prayer times:
Ps 136 |
Throughout history, God works with
creative power, and God's mercy endures forever. |
Ps 138 |
Song from a heart filled with gratitude. |
Ps 104 |
Praise to God the Creator who works
throughout history. |
Also helpful are the Fourth Eucharistic Prayer of the Roman Liturgy or
the First Eucharistic Prayer from the Anglican Book of Alternative Services.
Jesus as risen Lord is the image of the invisible God and is present in
all things and all the experiences of life (Col 1:15-20). Thus, like his
Abba, he continually works for and in us (Jn 5:17,19-20). Without his work
in our life, we cannot bear fruit (Jn 15:4-8). He is with us always, even
to the end of time (Mt 28:20). God's power is at work even when we seem
weak and helpless (2Cor 12:7-10). Because God loves us first, we are called
to love others in deed and truth (1Jn 4:7-5:5; 1Jn 3:18). In Jesus the
risen Lord, we are given life and are chosen like Peter and Paul themselves
to confound the wise (1Cor 1:26-2:5).
Dancing is not a matter of steps,
patterns and body movements,
although these matter.
Dancing is when these become incidental
and your body melts into the music and you
exalt.
-- David Howells
Prayer
Unit 30
Theme: |
Jesus sends the Spirit to form us into one body. |
Grace: |
To ask for what I desire -- a deepening
awareness of the power of Jesus' Spirit in us and a growing desire to cooperate
with others in the development of a more caring world. |
Prayer
Texts:
a) Lk 24:36-53 |
Be present at the Ascension, and
hear Jesus saying, "You are my witnesses." |
b) Acts 2:1-24 |
Be present at the events of Pentecost. |
c) Acts 2:42-47;
4:32-37 |
Be present in the early Christian community. |
d) Repetition |
|
|
Through the power of the Spirit,
we are a people Jesus claims as his own (1Pet 2:9). Built together as parts
of a new building (Eph 2:19-22) and as members of one body (Rom 12:4-5),
we are knit together in unity with a diversity of gifts (1Cor 12:4-7).
Hence when we cooperate with each other as one body, Jesus is in our midst
(Mt 18:19-20), and the cooperative decisions that we make with respectful
care for each other are influenced by Jesus' Spirit (Jn 14:26). Thus we
are more likely to bear much fruit (Jn 15:5). |
e) Repetition |
|
f) Application
of Senses |
|
Additional Readings for reflection
outside prayer times:
Acts 1:1-11 |
Jesus ascends into heaven and says,
"You are my witnesses." |
Acts 4:5-22 |
Peter and John speak in the power
of the Lord Jesus before the Sanhedrin. |
2Cor 5:14-21 |
The love of Jesus impels us to be
people of reconciliation. |
Col 1:24-29 |
In our own flesh, we make up what
is lacking in the sufferings of Christ. |
Phil 4:4-13 |
Hence we rejoice because in Jesus'
spirit who is the source of our strength, we have strength for everything! |
1Cor 12 |
What are my gifts that I bring to
his body? Where is the body to which I bring them? |
Eph 4:1-16 |
How do I function within the unity
of the one body? Where is the body in which I function? |
Soul of Christ, sanctify us
Body of Christ, save us
Blood of Christ, inebriate us
Water from the side of Christ, wash us
O good Jesus, hear us
Within your wounds, hide us
Permit us not to be separated from you
From the wicked enemy, defend us
At the hour of our death, call us
And bid us come to you
That with your saints we may praise you
For ever and ever.
Amen.
Units
(1-5) Disposition Weeks click here.
Units
(6-9) First Week click here.
Units
(10-14) Second Week (Jesus' Hidden Years) click here.
Units
(15-22) Second Week (Jesus' Public Life & Ministry) click here.
Units
(23-30) Third & Fourth Weeks (Death & Resurrection) click here.
Supplementary
Prayer Units click here.
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